- By
- Edwina Hagon
MARIO TESTINO'S SUNGLASSES
He has lensed some of most iconic images of our time: a radiant and relaxed Diana, Princess of Wales, in what would be her last major portrait session; a candid snap of Kate Moss sitting on the bathroom sink, lipstick in hand and eyes fixed to camera as the flash bounces around the mirrored walls. Now, famed fashion and portrait photographer Mario Testino is lending his inimitable eye to a new venture that brings photography and eyewear together. Informed by an appreciation of capturing clear, rich, and timeless moments, The Photographer’s Edition – Inspired by Mario Testino is the recent collaboration between the renowned photographer and luxury Italian eyewear brand L.G.R.
“The opportunity to inspire something that I wear every day was interesting. I grew up in the Peruvian sun and now that I travel all around the world, protective sunglasses are even more of a necessity,” explains Testino. Designed with the photographer’s jet-set lifestyle in mind, the five-hundred-piece run of individually numbered, handcrafted sunglasses embodies a sense of quality and purpose for modern individuals. After all, who better placed than a photographer to understand the implications of frequent exposure to outdoor elements? “I think a photographer goes through many types of weather, situations, and moments, and from a practical point of view, eyewear is very important to protect the eyes from sunlight,” he says.
This sensibility is effectively translated through premium materials and traditional artisan methods of craftsmanship. Functional and uncomplicated in form, the unisex frames feature details that have been mindfully tailored to a photographer, right down to the lens selection, which is crafted from the very same tempered mineral glass found in camera lenses. As much about fashion as function, Testino explains that for him, eyewear needs to be “practical, look good, and not become cumbersome to wear,” adding that, “from a design point of view, black is associated with fashion and tortoiseshell has a certain elegance—so a mixture of the two is perfect.”
The partnership, which is the first celebrity collaboration for the brand, is further distinguished by shared altruistic endeavors. “This initiative presented an opportunity to give back to my culture and heritage by donating twenty-five percent of the sale of each pair of sunglasses to my museum in Lima, MATE,” says Testino.
The Photographer’s Edition – Inspired by Mario Testino is available exclusively at LGRWorld.com now through September 8.
- By
- Edwina Hagon
